SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — October 25, 2026 — Michigan high school football fans will have a front-row seat to playoff action across the state when State Champs! SCORE! premieres Friday, October 30, at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Presented by State Champs! Sports Network, SCORE! is a fast-paced, live whip-around broadcast that follows multiple playoff games throughout the night, taking viewers from one matchup to another as the action unfolds.
Instead of following just one game, viewers can stay connected to the statewide playoff picture through game look-ins, highlights, score updates, instant replays, and expert analysis.
One show. Multiple games. Nonstop playoff drama.
“At State Champs!, we've always believed Michigan high school athletes deserve the kind of coverage and excitement typically reserved for the biggest stages in sports,” said Lou Bitonti, President of Yellow Flag Productions, the company behind State Champs! Sports Network. “SCORE! is a natural evolution of that mission. We're bringing together live technology, statewide coverage, and our passion for high school athletics to create something truly special. This isn't just another way to watch the playoffs — it's an entirely new way to experience them.”
A Front-Row Seat to the Entire State
SCORE! will feature coverage from multiple playoff matchups across Michigan, moving between games as the most compelling moments develop.
Whether it's a last-second score, a stunning upset, an incredible individual performance, or a dramatic comeback, SCORE! will keep fans connected to the action that matters most.
Unlike traditional broadcasts, SCORE! won't operate with a predetermined ending time. The show will begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue as the night's playoff action warrants.
Patti Cesarini Takes the Helm
Veteran State Champs! personality Patti Cesarini will host SCORE!, guiding viewers through the action and connecting the biggest moments from games across Michigan.
She'll be joined by State Champs! Executive Producer and longtime high school sports personality Lorne Plant, who will contribute statewide updates, analysis, and playoff insights throughout the broadcast.
Three Weeks of Playoff Excitement — With More to Come
SCORE! will debut during the opening round of the 2026 MHSAA football playoffs and continue for the first three Fridays of postseason competition:
- Friday, October 30
- Friday, November 6
- Friday, November 13
Each broadcast begins at 7:00 p.m. ET.
While football takes center stage this fall, the SCORE! format also offers opportunities to deliver immersive postseason coverage of boys and girls basketball, hockey, and other Michigan high school sports.
Where to Watch
Fans can watch State Champs! SCORE! live on the State Champs! Sports Network website, the State Champs! app, the State Champs! YouTube channel, and Local 4+.
The broadcast will connect communities throughout Michigan, giving viewers the opportunity to follow the statewide playoff picture and experience moments they might otherwise miss.
Proudly Supported by Partners Who Believe in Michigan High School Sports
State Champs! SCORE! is made possible with the support of Lawrence Technological University, Hungry Howie's Pizza, the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
Their continued commitment to high school athletics helps State Champs! expand its coverage, showcase student-athletes, celebrate school communities, and deliver high-quality sports programming to fans across Michigan.
About State Champs! Sports Network
State Champs! Sports Network is a leading destination for Michigan high school sports coverage, producing live broadcasts, television programming, digital content, athlete features, highlights, and original sports programming throughout the year.
Through its flagship State Champs! High School Sports Show and growing lineup of live and digital productions, State Champs! celebrates the athletes, coaches, schools, and communities that make high school sports an essential part of Michigan's identity.
State Champs! Sports Network is a production of Yellow Flag Productions.
Media Contact
Lorne Plant
Executive Vice President, State Champs! Sports Network
248-221-8996
lplant@statechampsnetwork.com
